in detail

The history of the Emsland camps, which were established in 1933 close to the border to the Netherlands, is largely unknown to most of the population. The Esterwegen Camp is the best-known of the fifteen camps, all of whose functions varied over the years: concentration camps from 1933 to 1936, prison camps from 1934 to 1945, camps for military prisoners and prisoners of war during the years 1939-1945 as well as satellite camps to Neuengamme Concentration Camp during the final years 1944-1945. In addition, satellite camps to the Emsland camp existed in various places in northern Germany and even in the occupied areas of North Norway and West France.

The changing functions of the camps reflect the progressive development of National Socialist control. The early camps focus on the isolation and "re-education" of real or believed opponents to the Nazi regime. Later the municipal and military courts condemned people to live and die under inhuman conditions in the camps. The prisoners were also forced to perform hard physical labor to cultivate the Emsland bogs. After the war began, they were employed in areas of military importance.

A total of 80,000 concentration camp and prison camp inmates and between 100,000 and 180,000 prisoners of war were incarcerated in the camp. Of the 38,000 who did not survive, some 35,000 were Soviet prisoners of war. The Documentation Center is managed by an association and financed by donations and membership fees. In 1985, the association, with the help of former prisoners in particular, founded the first makeshift permanent exhibit in a house in Papenburg. Previous efforts had failed to establish a memorial museum on the grounds of the former Esterwegen Camp which the German Federal Army presently uses as a clothing storage area. In 1993, a new center with two exhibition rooms, a seminar and lecture room, photo and document archive as well as offices was opened in Papenburg. It is financed by the city of Papenburg, the Emsland district and the state of Lower Saxony.

In the first half of 1994, 6,500 people, mainly school classes, visited the Documentation and Information Center (DIZ). The center has for years maintained contact and conducted interviews with former prisoners from Germany, Austria, Poland, Luxembourg and Belgium. As a result of this close contact, the DIZ has received personal artifacts made in the camps, including 130 drawings by a former political prisoner.

1933-1936
Concentration camps.

1934-1945
Prison camps.

1939-1945
Camps for military prisoners and prisoners of war.

1944-1945
Satellite camps to the Neuengamme Concentration Camp.

1985
The first privately organized exhibit is created (mostly by former prisoners).

1993
A documentation center is founded by a citizens` association in Papenburg and financed by the city of Papenburg, the Emsland district and the state of Lower Saxony.